runoff to roots Program
The Runoff to Roots (R2R) Program is a new initiative by the City of Santa Fe's River & Watershed Section to expand the use of GSI throughout the City. The program supports neighborhoods that wish to install rain gardens in public spaces such as city parks, open spaces, and street rights-of-way (ROW). These rain gardens collect and infiltrate stormwater runoff from impervious areas into a basin, which can improve water quality and attenuate peak runoff volumes.
Areas Suitable for GSI
Roadways can be ideal locations for GSI because they already collect and transport stormwater runoff. A simple cut in the curb can be made to direct flow into a basin next to the roadway that is designed to filter pollutants and infiltrate the runoff, instead of having it discharge directly into an arroyo.
Some roadways and public spaces are more suitable for creating a rain garden than others. Suitable locations for public ROW rain gardens include: along roadways, chicanes, bump outs, or drainage basins. Important factors to consider when siting a rain garden are:
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Topology and Drainage: How does water flow across this site? How is water currently channeled and drained across the land? Is there a natural low- point where water naturally concentrates and settles? What is the shape and slope of the road?
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Existing Infrastructure: Is there an existing curb and gutter on the road? What other existing infrastructure (e.g., sidewalks, utility lines, trees) is present and is there a potential conflict with the proposed GSI installation? If the rain garden floods during a large storm, what infrastructure may be affected? Are there neighboring properties at risk?
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Soil and Permeability: Is the site permeable? What soil currently exists there? Does stormwater currently infiltrate or stay puddled?
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Site Dimensions and Capacity: What area is available for GSI implementation, and how will this impact the design capacity? Is the site large enough to effectively manage stormwater? Are there other factors, such as proximity to a sidewalk, that should be considered?
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Site Ownership: Who owns the property where the rain garden will be built? If on private property, does the owner commit to maintenance?
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Appropriate Plants for Site: Depending on how much water the rain garden will receive, what types of plants are appropriate for the site? Are trees suitable, based on public line of sight requirements, overhead utilities, etc.? In smaller areas, select trees that are more columnar or conical to avoid branching into sidewalks or roadways
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Planting Site: Ideal locations provide at least 1,000 cubic feet (ft³) of soil volume per tree. However, smaller areas can also support healthy tree growth if they feature adequate drainage and direct access to stormwater runoff.
The City completed a study of locations for GSI along Alameda St. in 2013 (the Alameda Rain Garden Program), in attempts to reduce the amount of roadway flooding in strategic locations. This study identified 30 potential sites that could be funded for construction through this program, if there is neighborhood interest and a maintenance MOU in place.
How to Participate in Runoff to Roots Program - The Permit Process
Rain gardens can be installed in both public and private rights-of-way (ROW) to capture stormwater runoff from streets. If the ROW is public, nearby property owners can apply for the Runoff to Roots program for City assistance with installation -- follow the steps below! If the ROW is private, the standard designs for these eddy rain gardens are provided below for the property owner to install.
Public Property GSI
If the ROW is on public property and the following criteria are met, the City will proceed with building an eddy rain garden that the neighborhood will maintain.
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Street must be crowned rather than concave.
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Potential rain garden location must have a curb/gutter slope <3%.
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Sidewalk elevations must be equal to or higher than the top of curb.
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The width between the back of curb and sidewalk must be greater than or equal to 3 feet.
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Non-irrigated trees require Parks and Open Space Division Director approval.
Cutting the curb will be the final element to the rain garden installation. Moving the curb cut downslope should be considered if the City deems that stormwater pooling elevation will exceed the basin edges based on the proposed curb cut location.
Private Property GSI
If the City cannot take on the proposed rain garden at this time, or it is on private property, the neighborhood can still go through the process of constructing a rain garden and applying for a curb cut permit through the Streets Division, with their own funding. River & Watershed Section has limited funding to fund curb cut permits. The above conditions must still be met to proceed with a City-approved rain garden. Follow instructions in the section below for how to build your rain garden!
Maintenance Agreement of Rain Garden
The neighborhood or property owner is responsible for maintaining the rain garden after it is built, regardless of if the rain garden is public or private. The following Maintenance Agreement must be signed before the City installs a rain garden as part of the Runoff to Roots Program.
Once construction is complete, curb cut is installed
Private Property
You want a rain garden to capture street stormwater runoff
Check right-of-way (ROW) property ownership of proposed location -
Schedule a meeting with City Staff to review your plans
Use "How To" Resources from City to build your own basin
If approved, maintenance agreement will be signed, City builds rain garden
Owner/neighborhood maintains rain garden
Public Property
Contact City to assess proposal